THE EMPLOYERS TO
20TH LEGISLATURE
Is the luck of the fittest with us? If so, we'll put the Corona pandemic behind us this fall. And then, back to normal? Please don't. We should all ask ourselves one question: What have we learned as a society in the past few months?
We have learned that we can overcome crises if we stand together. The post-war generation can tell us about that. Many of us experienced this during German reunification. Now it has worked again. We can be proud of that. But crises also show where our weak points are and that we need to nurture our defences as a society. We must be prepared for crises. And we must look ahead more, be courageous - act more than react. We should not be a technology-sceptical society in hedgehog mode, but the opposite: a society of optimists and shapers - curious and modern. For this we need the right framework and an efficient administration. We need stable social security and sound budgets to provide support when it is needed. For all of this, we need a strong economy.
The economy is often dismissed as an abstract construct: managers, sales, profits, etc. This is wrong. The economy is all of us. Without employees, no company runs. Without bright minds in the development departments, there are no innovative products. Without apprentices, companies have no skilled workers for tomorrow. Without employers who assume the entrepreneurial risk, the social market economy does not function.
At the same time, employees and employers alike depend on their companies being competitive. If it is not, it will not survive in the market. If the company is doing badly, the jobs also come under pressure. Everyone is in the same boat.
The economy is often dismissed as an abstract construct: managers, sales, profits, etc. This is wrong. The economy is all of us. Without employees, no company runs. Without bright minds in the development departments, there are no innovative products. Without apprentices, companies have no skilled workers for tomorrow. Without employers who assume the entrepreneurial risk, the social market economy does not function.
At the same time, employees and employers alike depend on their companies being competitive. If it is not, it will not survive in the market. If the company is doing badly, the jobs also come under pressure. Everyone is in the same boat.
There are more in the boat:
Social security systems are financed by contributions from employers and employees. If the economy goes badly, we cannot afford many things. The same applies to the state. When the economy is humming, tax revenues bubble up. That's good for investments, infrastructure, education, daycare, etc.
So how can we strengthen the economy that benefits us all?
How can we emerge stronger from the pandemic?
The goal must be to think comprehensively and sustainably. Even before the pandemic, we faced major challenges. They have not gone away.
The world is changing. The digital and ecological transformation, the energy and mobility turnaround, demographic change and increasing international competition are just some of the megatrends that demand bold and sustainable political responses in Germany and Europe. The social market economy must also adapt. Those who stand still lose their own power to shape the future.
This is not the time for apportioning blame. We want to move forward together. We want to modernize our country. We want to create good, competitive jobs in Germany. We want to reduce our debts through sustainable growth. To do this, we need to set the right course. That is why we, as employers, are making an offer to politicians on social and economic policy issues. Our common goal should be to strengthen our economy. Because:
With this publication, employers present their expectations of politics and of the future federal government of the 20th legislative period. We would like to use this brochure to stimulate discussion and invite you to join us in the conversation.
You can read the publication download here, scroll further or jump to the desired topic using the following links.
This is not the time for apportioning blame. We want to move forward together. We want to modernize our country. We want to create good, competitive jobs in Germany. We want to reduce our debts through sustainable growth. To do this, we need to set the right course. That is why we, as employers, are making an offer to politicians on social and economic policy issues. Our common goal should be to strengthen our economy. Because:
ECONOMY WE ARE ALL.
With this publication, employers present their expectations of politics and of the future federal government of the 20th legislative period. We would like to use this brochure to stimulate discussion and invite you to join us in the conversation.
You can read the publication download here, scroll further or jump to the desired topic using the following links.
EDUCATION IS THE BUILDING MATERIAL OF OUR FUTURE - IMPROVING EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
In the global competition for brains and talent, education is becoming the location factor par excellence. As an economy and society, we cannot afford that individuals cannot develop their talents and opportunities due to a lack of support. We need everyone if we want to successfully shape the future of our country. The Corona pandemic has ruthlessly exposed the weak points in education policy. Children and young people from educationally disadvantaged families and without access to the necessary digital opportunities have suffered particularly from the school closures and now need support. The modernisation and digitisation of our education system must therefore be a top priority. This is a question of future viability and equal opportunities in our country. The federal, state and local governments must find a better way to work together on education issues.
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Digitalisierung der Schulen nicht verschlafen
Die Pandemie hat deutlich gemacht, dass es an vielen Schulen in Sachen Digitalisierung an grundlegenden Dingen fehlt. Wir brauchen eine funktionierende digitale Infrastruktur, schnelles Internet und digitale Lehr- und Lernkonzepte an Schulen, aber auch an Berufs- und Hochschulen, um zeitgemäßen Unterricht zu ermöglichen. Die Umsetzung des DigitalPakts Schule muss beschleunigt und bestehende Hürden abgebaut werden. Dies gilt insbesondere mit Blick auf eine wirksame Lehrerfortbildung.
Neugierde auf Naturwissenschaften stärken
Die Fachkräftelücke im sog. MINT-Bereich (Mathematik, Informatik, Naturwissenschaften, Technik) ist auch in der Corona-Krise nicht kleiner geworden. Mit dem wirtschaftlichen Neustart wird sie noch deutlich ansteigen. Die Studienabbruchsraten sind hier immer noch überdurchschnittlich hoch. Wir brauchen daher einen MINT-Aktionsplan 2.0, der beginnend bei der frühkindlichen Bildung die Neugierde und das Interesse an mathematischen, naturwissenschaftlichen und technischen Zusammenhängen sowie Fragestellungen, insbesondere auch im Hinblick auf digitale Anwendungen, stärkt. Ein besonderes Augenmerk muss dabei Mädchen und jungen Frauen gelten, die im MINT-Bereich noch immer deutlich unterrepräsentiert sind.
Zusammenarbeit Hochschule/Wirtschaft: Da geht noch viel mehr
Die gute Zusammenarbeit von Hochschule und Wirtschaft ist wichtig für den Wirtschaftsstandort Deutschland und die Nachwuchssicherung. Insbesondere Studiengänge mit hoher Praxisrelevanz müssen gestärkt und vor allem das Erfolgsmodell Duales Studium ausgebaut werden. Außerdem muss die Antragstellung beim BAföG stark vereinfacht und vollständig digitalisiert werden, um Hürden abzubauen. Parallel sollten Stipendienprogramme und insbesondere das Deutschlandstipendium weiter ausgebaut werden.
Frühe Bildung quantitativ und qualitativ ausbauen
Frühkindliche Bildung ist entscheidend für einen guten Start der Kinder in das Bildungssystem und damit grundlegend für Bildungs- und Chancengerechtigkeit. Die Bundesförderung für den Kita-Ausbau sollte fortgesetzt, aber mit einem neuen Schwerpunkt auf die Qualitätssteigerung der Betreuung verbunden werden – vor allem mit einer nachhaltigen Sprachförderung. Bund und Länder sollten zudem die Fachkräftesicherung im Kita-Bereich vorantreiben, die praxisintegrierte Ausbildung ausbauen und die Digitalisierung in den Kitas unterstützen.
Duale Ausbildung: Sprungbrett in die Arbeitswelt
Die Betriebe führen die duale Berufsausbildung auch in Zeiten von Corona verlässlich fort. Ausbildungsbetriebe und Auszubildende brauchen aber sachgerechte und zielgenaue Unterstützung in der Krise, z. B. mit der Weiterführung des Bundesprogramms „Ausbildungsplätze sichern“. Das Matching zwischen Bewerberprofil und Berufsprofil ist eine bleibende große Herausforderung – regional, fachlich und persönlich. Deshalb muss die Berufsorientierung und -beratung an den Schulen intensiviert werden. Zudem braucht es einen Digitalpakt für die Berufsschule, der die Digitalisierung im Bereich der dualen Ausbildung gezielt voranbringt.
Digitalisierung der Schulen nicht verschlafen
Die Pandemie hat deutlich gemacht, dass es an vielen Schulen in Sachen Digitalisierung an grundlegenden Dingen fehlt. Wir brauchen eine funktionierende digitale Infrastruktur, schnelles Internet und digitale Lehr- und Lernkonzepte an Schulen, aber auch an Berufs- und Hochschulen, um zeitgemäßen Unterricht zu ermöglichen. Die Umsetzung des DigitalPakts Schule muss beschleunigt und bestehende Hürden abgebaut werden. Dies gilt insbesondere mit Blick auf eine wirksame Lehrerfortbildung.
FITNESS PROGRAMME FOR THE WORKING WORLD OF THE FUTURE
The Corona pandemic will leave its mark on the labour market. People who already had a hard time on the labour market before the crisis are now particularly affected. Unemployment has risen significantly again during the pandemic. At the same time, structural change and digital transformation are having a significant impact on employment. Professions are changing dramatically, some jobs are being lost altogether and new ones are being created elsewhere. However, the fact that these new jobs are being created here in Germany cannot be taken for granted. Framework conditions such as the flexibility of the labor market, burdens and regulations for companies, as well as the qualification level of employees all play a role.
In addition, we need to make employees fit for change. With a view to the digital transformation, the half-life of knowledge is is becoming shorter and shorter. Lifelong learning is increasingly becoming a mandatory part of every working life.
In addition, we need to make employees fit for change. With a view to the digital transformation, the half-life of knowledge is is becoming shorter and shorter. Lifelong learning is increasingly becoming a mandatory part of every working life.
This means that continuing vocational training must be given a higher priority, especially in comparison to initial vocational training. Above all, employees who have to completely reorient themselves in view of the change need targeted support. At the same time, we must ensure that companies find the skilled workers they need for the tasks ahead. Education and training alone will not be enough to close the gap that will continue to grow in the coming years. Germany must therefore become a more attractive place to live and work for foreign skilled workers.
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Bundesagentur für Arbeit: Schuster, bleib bei deinen Leisten
Grundsicherung vereinfachen und fortentwickeln
Kurzarbeitergeld braucht Flexibilität
Weiterbildungsförderung – nichts verschenken
Weiterbildung darf sich auch lohnen
Unternehmen beim Thema Inklusion noch fitter machen
Weiterbildungsangebote nach vorne denken
Wer mehr weiß, der handelt klüger
Keinen am Rande stehen lassen
Fachkräftezuwanderung einfacher machen und fördern
Brücke von Geflüchteten in den Arbeitsmarkt stärken
LABOUR LAW AND WORKS CONSTITUTION
DUSTING OFF THE DUST
DUSTING OFF THE DUST
In order to be able to successfully shape our working world in the ongoing structural change, companies need a modern and flexible labour law framework. Current labor law is still essentially geared to the classic industrial workplace of the last century. The often rigid regulations put the brakes on innovation and new business models and are out of touch with the realities of life for many employees. In the course of the pandemic, individual labour law regulations were temporarily opened up pragmatically and made more flexible (e.g. digital works council work or more flexible working time solutions in certain sectors). Where mobile working is possible and makes sense, employers and employees have found
and employees have found solutions - even without blanket legal regulation. During the Corona pandemic, we saw what is possible when the social and company partners can act quickly and pragmatically together. We must draw the right conclusions from this for the future.
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Nicht mehr, aber klüger arbeiten
Sprungbrett in den Arbeitsmarkt erleichtern – befristete Arbeit wichtiger Baustein
Ruhezeiten für die Beschäftigten, nicht für die Bürokratie
Mitbestimmungsverfahren nicht im Bummelzug
Betriebsratsarbeit digital im 21. Jahrhundert ankommen lassen
STRENGTHENING SOCIAL PARTNERSHIP - MOVING A LOT TOGETHER
The successful social partnership is a crucial building block of our economic success. Employers' associations and trade unions jointly negotiate working conditions in collective agreements and assume responsibility in the self-administration of social insurance schemes. By being close to operational practice, the social partners can jointly develop flexible solutions adapted to the specific requirements of sectors, companies and employees. Successful social partnership is a crucial building block of our economic success. Employers' associations and trade unions jointly negotiate working conditions in collective agreements and assume responsibility in the self-administration of social insurance schemes.
By being close to operational practice, the social partners can jointly develop flexible solutions that are adapted to the specific requirements of sectors, companies and employees. In view of the increasing speed of change, blanket legal regulations alone will work even less in the future. At company and social partnership level, it is possible to react more quickly, competently and flexibly. A strong social partnership is therefore indispensable for successfully shaping the future of the economy and the world of work. This does not require state intervention in collective bargaining autonomy, but rather a new basis of trust between the social partners and politics that respects the autonomy and the different interests of the social partners. >> Download chapter
Tarifbindung: Attraktive Tarifverträge und mehr Luft zum Atmen sind die Zukunft
Mindestlohn nicht für Wahlkampf missbrauchen
DEMOGRAPHIC REALITY: THINKING SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY TOGETHER
Our strong welfare state is a supporting pillar of social cohesion in Germany. During the pandemic, our social systems were able to cushion many of the consequences of the crisis. However, our social systems are no longer sustainably financed. Even before the crisis, the expansion of benefits led to a considerable increase in expenditure. This exacerbates the already enormous demographic challenges facing the social security system.
The imminent retirement of the baby boomers will fundamentally shift the ratio between pensioners and contributors. While today there are 53 pensioners for every 100 contributors, this number will rise to almost 70 in the next 15 years. At the same time, the increasing ageing of our society will also lead to a substantial rise in costs in health and nursing care insurance. Without the necessary reforms, the overall social security contribution, which is 40 per cent today, threatens to rise to around 50 per cent by 2040. This would not only be a huge blow to the competitiveness of German companies, which already have to contend with a comparatively high tax and contribution burden internationally. Such an increase would also drive a wedge into our solidarity community and call into question intergenerational justice.
Making the social security system fit for the future and financing it sustainably is therefore one of the most urgent political tasks. The aim must be to stabilise the contribution rate at below 40 per cent in the long term. For this to succeed, the necessary reforms must be tackled as quickly as possible, i.e. in the coming legislative period. Our welfare state is a success story, but it must remain affordable.
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The imminent retirement of the baby boomers will fundamentally shift the ratio between pensioners and contributors. While today there are 53 pensioners for every 100 contributors, this number will rise to almost 70 in the next 15 years. At the same time, the increasing ageing of our society will also lead to a substantial rise in costs in health and nursing care insurance. Without the necessary reforms, the overall social security contribution, which is 40 per cent today, threatens to rise to around 50 per cent by 2040. This would not only be a huge blow to the competitiveness of German companies, which already have to contend with a comparatively high tax and contribution burden internationally. Such an increase would also drive a wedge into our solidarity community and call into question intergenerational justice.
Making the social security system fit for the future and financing it sustainably is therefore one of the most urgent political tasks. The aim must be to stabilise the contribution rate at below 40 per cent in the long term. For this to succeed, the necessary reforms must be tackled as quickly as possible, i.e. in the coming legislative period. Our welfare state is a success story, but it must remain affordable.
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Blindflug bei den Sozialversicherungssystemen beenden
Wettbewerb in der gesetzlichen Krankenversicherung stärken
Fairer Ausgleich – Nachholfaktor in der Rente reaktivieren
Pflegeversicherung muss sich ehrlich machen
Dem Generationenvertrag gerecht werden: Renteneintrittsalter schrittweise anheben
Rentenversicherung enkelfest machen
Betriebliche und private Vorsorge ernster nehmen
Digitalisierung im Gesundheitswesen – Chance für uns alle
Beitragseinzugsverfahren vereinfachen und bündeln
GERMANY MUST BECOME SIMPLER
During the pandemic, we clearly saw in Germany the consequences of the digital backwardness of public administration. This does not only apply to the health offices. The application for support and compensation services for companies was also often unnecessarily complicated and slow. User-friendly and end-to-end digital administrative services are essential
for the efficient functioning of the entire economy. In this respect, the business community is now well ahead of the public administration in terms of digitalisation - something we also saw during Corona. During the pandemic, we in Germany clearly saw the consequences of the digital backwardness of public administration. This does not only apply to the health authorities.
Applying for business support and compensation has also often been unnecessarily complicated and slow. User-friendly and end-to-end digital administrative services are essential
for the efficient functioning of the economy as a whole. In this respect, the business community is now well ahead of the public administration in terms of digitalisation - something we also saw during Corona.
One thing is clear: Germany must finally become simpler.
When it comes to digitizing the administration, politicians should therefore keep an eye on the ecosystem of companies and administration as a whole. Simply digitizing individual administrative services or a federal patchwork of different digital standards and solutions will not help. The Online Access Act (OZG) must therefore now be implemented quickly and in close coordination between the federal, state and local governments. At the same time, we must continue to drive forward the reduction of bureaucracy in order to relieve the burden on companies in the economic reboot.
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One thing is clear: Germany must finally become simpler.
When it comes to digitizing the administration, politicians should therefore keep an eye on the ecosystem of companies and administration as a whole. Simply digitizing individual administrative services or a federal patchwork of different digital standards and solutions will not help. The Online Access Act (OZG) must therefore now be implemented quickly and in close coordination between the federal, state and local governments. At the same time, we must continue to drive forward the reduction of bureaucracy in order to relieve the burden on companies in the economic reboot.
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„Einer für alle“ umfassend umsetzen
„Was Gutes rein – und was Überflüssiges raus“ sollte die Regel werden
Unternehmens-ID und Konto besser gestern als heute einführen
Rechtsanspruch auf digitale Kommunikation einführen
Digitalisierungscheck für neue Gesetzgebung einführen
Den Praktikern ernster Gehör schenken: Fairer Umgang miteinander im Gesetzgebungsverfahren
MAKING THE TAX SYSTEM MORE PERFORMANCE-RELATED
The tax burden has continued to increase in recent years. Companies in particular are affected by a comparatively high tax burden. For personal enterprises, the high burden of income tax is particularly harmful; it weakens the financing power of small and medium-sized enterprises and thus leads to negative effects on employment and investment. Companies therefore urgently need a performance-based and modern tax system.
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Kalte Progression verhindern – Mittelstandsknick abbauen
Steuerverfahrensrecht praxisgerecht modernisieren
Solidaritätszuschlag vollständig abschaffen
STRENGTHENING THE ECONOMY AND EMPLOYMENT IN EUROPE
A strong European Union is more important today than ever before. Only together will we in Europe be able to shape the great processes of change of our time. And only if the EU speaks with one voice will we be able to act on an equal footing with the USA or China and successfully represent our values and ideas at international level. At the same time, we in the EU must also stand united internally against those who question the European unification project. To this end, we must ensure that the promise of prosperity for all EU citizens continues to apply in the future. This can only be achieved with a strong European economy in a functioning internal market.
The EU is the largest economic area in the world - with the highest social standards in the world: With only 7 per cent of the world's population and 22 per cent of global GDP, member states spend 40 per cent of global spending on social protection. Our average standard of living is among the highest in the world. To keep it that way, we in Europe need competitive, innovative companies and a sufficiently skilled workforce to create growth and prosperity. Because we can only finance a socially strong Europe on the basis of economic success. This must be the focus of European policy. >> Download chapter
Solide Finanzen gewährleisten
Arbeitsmarkt- und Sozialsysteme: die Kirche im Dorf lassen
Entsendungen unbürokratisch gestalten
Europa im Alltag erleichtern
Auch Europa darf einfacher werden
Miteinander sprechen, nicht übereinander
Fachkräftezuwanderung in die EU vereinfachen
